Post from Tok, Alaska near the Canadian border of the northern lights (aurora borealis) taken early this morning while working on a construction project. The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is late August to mid-April and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., when the sky is at its darkest and the auroras are the most active. Source: alaska.org. For all its beauty, this spectacular light show is a rather violent event. Energized particles from the sun slam into Earth’s upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph, but our planet’s magnetic field protects us from the onslaught – the dramatic process transforms into a cinematic atmospheric phenomenon that dazzles and fascinates scientists and skywatchers alike. Source: space.com. Photo by Justin Stibbard